Downtown Detroit getting 17-foot bronze statue

The 17-foot "Waiting" statue by Brooklyn artists KAWS was installed in front of the One Campus Martius building as of May 21.

A 17-foot statue reminiscent of Mickey Mouse with X's for eyes is slated to be installed downtown next week.

The Detroit Free Pressreported Friday afternoon that "Waiting" by artist KAWS will be installed between Dan Gilbert's One Campus Martius headquarters building and Campus Martius Park on Tuesday.

Anthony Curis, partner of the Detroit-based Library Street Collective art gallery, said the gallery "worked closely with KAWS and the Gilberts on the acquisition and facilitation of the project." He said conversations on the bronze statue began over a year ago.

"The sculpture has been accessioned into Dan and Jennifer Gilbert's personal collection, which they wanted to publicly share with the city," Curis wrote in an email to Crain's. "KAWS' sculptures have been on display in major cities all over the world, but permanent public display is rare — many are shown temporarily and then end up in private collections, often hidden away. Recently one was installed for permanent public display in Los Angeles while others have been shown temporarily in NY, the U.K., Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Switzerland, and China."

"Along with the Gilberts, we recognized the significance of KAWS' work in appealing to young and old alike and its impact on popular culture. His work is rare in its respect from institutions, art lovers and wider audiences alike."

It will be one of the latest art additions downtown. Within the last several years, murals by Shepard Fairey and How and Nosm (twin brothers Davide and Raoul Perre) have sprung up on the One Campus Martius building.

Curis said the statue will be installed in front of the building permanently.